## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##Venezuela Ramps up China Oil Exports Unsettling Washington
"The biggest geostrategic change of the past decade overlooked by Washington policy wonks in their fixation on their self-proclaimed 'war on terror' is that Latin America has been throwing off the shackles of the Monroe Doctrine."

Clashes over grazing land, water kill 48 in Kenya
"Attackers armed with machetes, bows and arrows and spears killed at least 48 villagers and set houses ablaze in Kenya's coastal region overnight in an attack over land and water, police said on Wednesday."

U.N. chief defies U.S., Israel; plans trip to Tehran
"U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to attend a summit meeting of leaders of non-aligned developing nations in Tehran next week, defying calls from the United States and Israel to boycott the event, U.N. diplomats said on Wednesday."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##Bahrain Shi'ites battle police at protester's funeral
"Protesters pelted police with petrol bombs and stones in clashes that broke out in Bahrain on Tuesday night at the funeral for a teenage demonstrator killed last week in a new bout of unrest in the U.S.-allied Gulf state."

Petroleum Theft Growing in Mexico
"Despite the millions of dollars spent trying to battle theft of oil, petrol, and diesel by Mexican criminal gangs, Pemex, the Mexican government's hydrocarbon monopoly, has reported that the pilfering has actually continued to rise."

"Frequent scheduled blackouts are the order of the day during peak hours 1800 to 2200 and island authorities recognise it will not get better as long as hotel capacity grows faster than public utilities."